Kid Rock = Not A Political Scientist

With the upcoming presidential election, you can count on a lot of celebrity endorsements of candidates. There are your regulars, like Eddie Vedder and Michael Stipe, who insist on plugging their candidates whether or not anyone is listening; but it seems like a lot more musicians are coming forward to promote Barack Obama. Hell, even Broken Social Scene told voters to "put down the bong and vote for Obama."

Well, there's one musician in particular who you won't see any endorsements from: Kid Rock. In an interview with Country Music Television, he explained "I truly believe that people like myself, who are in a position of entertainers in the limelight, should keep their mouth shut on politics." Rock, who currently has a huge hit without selling his music on iTunes, also clarified that he is not, in fact, a political scientist.

U2's Bono: Ordered To Lose Weight???

From what I've heard, touring takes quite the toll on a performer's body. All of the quickie meals, running around onstage for a few hours a night, going to bed late and waking up early... So it's no surprise that artists visit their physicians before a tour much like athletes get physicals before their season begins. But what is surprising is that the members of U2 have actually been ordered to lose weight before they go on the road to support their upcoming album, rumored to be titled No Line On The Horizon.

A New York newspaper is reporting that the band, who sang about how "Big Girls Are Best", will be hitting the road and appearing at arenas near you beginning in April or May of 2009. So this gives them a few months to work off those extra pounds.

So for Bono and Co., maybe they shouldn't have too much of the "sweetest thing(s)" this fall/winter. They could always go sugar-free, I hear it's even better than the real thing... (wink, wink)

More From Madonna...

You know, if you would have asked me who I thought Madonna was going to vote for, I probably could have guessed right. But for those of us who aren't so good at inferring these things, she's using her tour to express said views. During one segment of her "Sticky and Sweet" show, which kicked off last week, (see earlier post) she showed both candidates on the monitors along with some other well-known public figures.

After showing what news networks are calling "images of destruction [and] global warming", the audience saw Adolf Hitler and Zimbabwean president (and major league asshole) Robert Mugabe followed by none other than Arizona Senator and Presidential candidate John McCain.

Then later in the show, Barack Obama's image was presented after John Lennon, Al Gore, and Gandhi.

So while some acts will bring along booths where concertgoers can register to vote, Madonna just compares them to dictators or martyrs. Glad to see she's doing her part...

New Metallica Songs: "Cyanide" and "The Day That Never Comes"

After spending years working with Rick Rubin on what many people are calling their comeback album, Metallica has finally debuted a few new songs. The first single is now on the band's official website, and is titled "The Day That Never Comes." The streaming quality isn't that great, (obviously a deterrent to those who would want to, *gasp*, download it without paying) but most fans are probably just happy to hear some finished product.

The other new song was debuted during their set at Ozzfest in Dallas, TX. Once again, the band's official site came through for the fans and provided official video of the performance. This song, titled "Cyanide", unforunately sounds like cookie-cutter Metallica. Very color-by-numbers. Double-bass drums, chugging guitars, fast Kirk Hammett solos... Some things just don't impress anymore. However, I wouldn't doubt for a second that this album won't gain them a bunch of new young fans. Hell, it's better than them listening to Avenged Sevenfold, right? It's a good laugh to hear the polite "Thank you, Dallas" right after the song ends, too.

The new album, Death Magnetic, comes out on September 12.

P.S. It takes a lot of balls for a rocker to wear shorts onstage. See YouTube.

The Day That Never Comes
http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=601119

Cyanide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOVX6nMhf9A&feature=related

Meet Glen Campbell

In the last decade or so, we've seen a lot of veteran country acts trying to work their way into the mindsets of today's youth. Waylon Jennings joined Lollapalooza, Johnny Cash did his albums with Rick Rubin, and Kris Kristofferson appeared in some terrible movies. (Remember that Planet of the Apes re-make with Mark Wahlberg?) Well, it looks like Glen Campbell has joined the ranks by releasing his first album of the new millenium: Meet Glen Campbell.

The title is appropriate for this album, which is acting as a re-introduction. Campbell must have known that he had to change directions, since he hasn't had a true hit since 1989's "She's Gone, Gone, Gone." On Meet Glen Campbell, he covers artists like Travis, Tom Petty, U2, and Green Day. (Don't worry, nothing too radical, it's "Good Riddance") But this isn't a takeoff of the Johnny Cash/American Recordings albums. Campbell genuinely works to make these songs his own. You'll recognize guitar tones in some of the songs that immediately bring to mind classics like "Wichita Lineman", "Galveston", and "Gentle On My Mind." Plus, the strong, clear voice you heard on the recordings of the 60's and 70's seems to have barely aged.

Key tracks: "Sing", "Angel Dream", "All I Want Is You"

Live Video of "All I Want Is You" from AOL:
http://music.aol.com/video/all-i-want-is-you-aol-sessions/glen-campbell/2198844

Madonna's Upcoming Tour

If there's one thing Madonna is known for, it's taking EVERYTHING over the top. And it sounds like her upcoming tour won't be an exception. She has called it a "rock-driven, dancetastic journey." (shudders) Word is that the show will be broken down into four sections: 1920's Gangsta (I think it should be gangstER) Pimp, old school New York (Studio 57?), gypsy, and a "far-eastern inspired rave."

Here are the main points:

--8 Costume Changes
--Pre-recorded duet with Britney Spears
--16 Dancers
--12 Member Backing Band
--653 Hours of Tour Rehearsals

The tour kicks off on Saturday.

Malaysia Takes On Avril Lavigne

I found this on the NME site today and found it absolutely hilarious...

The Malaysian government, who is known for being strict with performers (particularly female performers), has cancelled Avril Lavigne's August 29th concert for being, and this is completely serious: too sexy. A spokesperson said that the performance would "not be good for viewers in Malaysia", and that it's inappropriate since their Independence Day is near that date.

What's the worst that could happen? I mean, sure, a few Malaysian girls might wear neckties, plaid and rip off Toni Basil (there, I said it!!!)...